Needlestick and Sharps in Sewage

Hypodermic needles, razor blades, and broken glass are regularly found in sewage and at treatment works.
Needlestick injuries transmit blood-borne viruses including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
Sewage screening, rag removal, and manual cleaning tasks carry the highest needlestick risk.
Sharps are hidden in rags, wipes, and debris making them invisible during routine handling.
Even a small needlestick wound requires immediate first aid and urgent medical assessment.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV must be started within hours of a needlestick injury.
Hepatitis B vaccination is strongly recommended for all workers who may contact sewage or sharps.
COSHH 2002 classifies blood-borne pathogens as biological hazards requiring risk assessment and controls.
Sharps-resistant gloves provide significantly better protection than standard nitrile or rubber gloves.
Sharps disposal containers must be available at every work location where needles may be encountered.

Blood-borne infection	A single needlestick can transmit hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV. These infections are life-changing and potentially fatal.
Hidden hazard	Needles embedded in rags and debris are invisible until they penetrate gloves and skin during routine handling tasks.
Time-critical treatment	PEP for HIV exposure must begin within 72 hours, ideally within 1 hour. Delays reduce treatment effectiveness.

Do

Don't

Wear sharps-resistant gloves for all tasks involving sewage debris and screenings.
Get vaccinated against hepatitis B if you work with sewage or at treatment works.
Report any needlestick injury immediately and seek urgent medical assessment.
Use mechanical raking tools rather than hands to clear screens and remove rags.
Dispose of found needles in a proper sharps container; never put them in bags.
Wash needlestick wounds immediately with soap and water; encourage bleeding.
Know where the nearest sharps container and first aid kit are located.
Attend occupational health for blood testing after any needlestick incident.
Assume all needles found in sewage are contaminated with blood-borne viruses.
Brief all workers at treatment works on the needlestick injury reporting procedure.

DON'T handle sewage screenings or rags without sharps-resistant gloves.
DON'T pick up needles with bare hands or standard nitrile gloves.
DON'T put found needles into plastic bags, bins, or general waste containers.
DON'T squeeze or suck a needlestick wound; wash with soap and water only.
DON'T delay reporting a needlestick injury; PEP treatment is time-critical.
DON'T reach into screening baskets, rag bins, or channels with unprotected hands.
DON'T decline hepatitis B vaccination if you work with sewage regularly.
DON'T assume a small scratch from a needle is harmless; always report it.
DON'T recap or bend found needles before placing them in a sharps container.
DON'T ignore the occupational health follow-up appointments after a needlestick.

See also: Wastewater Treatment Works Safety Awareness | Inlet Works and Screening Safety

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